It’s that time of year again! The leaves have fallen, the temperature has dropped, and the snow is starting to fall. While snow can be a beautiful sight, it can also wreak havoc on your roof. But our Barrie roofing company is here to help. Here’s how snow and ice can damage your roof:
The Weight of Snow and Ice
One of the biggest dangers that snow and ice pose to your roof is the weight. Depending on the density of the snow, one cubic foot can weigh anywhere from five to 20 pounds. And with an average-sized roof collecting around 10 inches of snow, that’s a lot of extra weight for your roof to bear. Unfortunately, this extra weight can cause your roof to collapse, which is why it’s so important to have your roof checked by a professional before the winter season begins.
Ice Dams
Another problem that snow and ice can cause is ice dams. Ice dams occur when heat escapes from your home and melts the snow on your roof. The water then runs down to the edge of your roof where it refreezes, forming a dam that traps water behind it. This trapped water can then seep under shingles and into your home, causing water damage. To prevent this from happening, make sure there’s proper insulation in your attic so heat doesn’t escape. You should also clear any gutters or drains that might be blocked so melting snow has somewhere to go.
How Our Barrie Roofing Company Can Help
There are many tips to prevent damage to your roof from winter weather, which you can read about in our blog here [LINK], but let’s look at a couple more ways to help minimize the risk.
One simple way to prevent this type of damage is to clear the snow and ice off of your roof regularly. This will help reduce the amount of weight on your roof and prevent water from seeping in and causing damage. You can clear the snow and ice off yourself or hire a professional like Ainger Roofing to do it for you.
Another way to prevent damage is to solve the problems before they start by having a qualified professional install a good quality roofing system that is designed to withstand the weight of snow and ice. This is especially important if you live in an area that gets a lot of winter weather. A qualified professional will be able to evaluate your situation and recommend the best course of action for you.
While snow may be pretty to look at, it can cause some serious damage to your roof if you’re not careful. Between the extra weight and the potential for ice dams, it’s important to take precautions to prevent any damage from occurring. If you’re not sure how to properly protect your roof, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Barrie roofing company for help!
